[I think Willoughby expected to find Elinor & Marianne alone without any male protection and that is just the way he likes it.]

I remember that when I first read the novel, I was on the edge of my seat with wondering, "What if Brandon should come back while Willoughby is there?" *gulp* I was pretty relieved when Elinor got him out of the house, but there's a sneaky part of me that would like to see Brandon return and chase Willoughby away at gunpoint.